The Gift

In a near future where sexual assignment surgery is accepted and embraced a young and foolish couple exchange Christmas gifts. 

Jim's lips parted from those of his lover. The taste of whose lips were as sweet as an apple and as smooth as silk.

Tomorrow would be Christmas and Jim had arranged the most wonderful gift.

For months he and Dell had talked about starting a family. There was no problem with that of course, in today's enlightened society the company of two men sharing each other's life and raising children was no longer considered indecent.

It was enjoyed and accepted by the community.

But Dell and he had thought it best if the children be raised by a mother. The financial hardships of the past few years had forced them to cut back. The financial downturn making the usual sexual reassignment surgery so many friends had undergone just five years ago now a luxury.

Oh, it was fine to have a surrogate or even to adopt a child, to share your life with a child who needed and accepted your unlimited love. But still, as old-fashioned as it seemed, to have a mother and a father loving a child was considered by many the height of current fashion and good parenting.

Dell and Jim had talked long into the nights, after their passion had been satisfied, about how they would parent children and had even proposed names for children.

What schools would they attend, what sports would they play, who would pick them up, drive them about and play catch with them?

Dell's body glistened in the moonlight of the bed on those nights, an ebony to contrast with Jim's ivory skin. Jim fantasized about and wondered about Dell penetrating him and their genetics bonding together, forming a new life.

But it had gone up in smoke as the real estate market had crashed, followed by collapse of the financial market.

He and Dell had hung on, grimly going to work and surviving the layoffs, the redundancies and 'right-sizings' as their earnings shrunk.

And tomorrow, it would be Christmas.

Jim had talked to the accountant about the foolishness of cashing in his retirement for a life gift to Dell. There would be chaos financially, but he knew there would be happiness too as little feet crossed the floor and diapers were changed and children grew, visible demonstrations of the love and commitment of Jim and Dell.

So it had been arranged that later this morning Jim would cash-in his retirement account and undergo the surgery to become a wife for Dell to impregnate.

Jim had already been to the Macy's and had picked out the perfect outfit, of course Jim would need an entire wardrobe due to the sex change. Hence there would not just be the medical surgery but also the practical results of the reassignment and months of credit card payments too.

Jim thought about high heels, it had been years since Jim had been a women, he hoped he could still master the art of balance that dancing required.

Dell was a wonderful dancer. Jim looked forward to following Dell's lead.

Parting from Dell at the subway, Jim found his way to the Uptown offices of Dr. Young.

“You won't be able to reverse again for 24 months Jim,” Dr. Young's assistant Sofie noted. “We've made advances in sexual reassignment, but there is still a need for the body to heal itself.”

Jim smiled and winked. “I'm planning on staying a woman for a long time Sofie.”

Jim nodded as Sophie talked about how the procedure reduced the chances for future successful sexual selection, fertilization and increased risks of illness. It was all okay. On Dell's shoulders She would face the world.

With a tired practised patience the procedure started. As Jim fell asleep He wondered for the last time what the look would be on Dell's face when She kissed him welcome that night.